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Sunday, 30 April 2017

but it's a quilt now!

Well yes, there has been some progress here in the sewing room, and my improv pieced, low volume, scrappy magic numbers project is a quilt now. However, once I got it together and machine quilted all over the quilt in my usual straight line 1/4" outline way, and added the binding, I couldn't resist trying out just a little bit of big stitch hand quilting . . . and once I started, I just couldn't stop.

So, it's all round the wrong way- you know, the binding should be the last step, yes?
But I'm enjoying this so much, doing lots & lots of ‘slow stitching’ and having fun thinking of all the different ways I could embellish those low volume squares. {see over here, here and here for earlier quilt details, progress photos & inspiration source}

That little 'cross' stitch is so quick & easy, it's one *Jen Kingwell does on some of her quilts.

- such a great idea.

and the New York Beauty and Butterfly 'orphan' blocks . . .

My quilt measures 165cms x 158cms. I still have quite a bit of big stitch quilting to do yet, it's so nice to have some handwork on the go now the evenings are getting cooler. Linking up with Cynthia for 'oh scrap' here and with Kathyhere for 'slow Sunday stitching'

a bit more # 58

There are lots of tutorials out there about handquilting.

Here's a few favourites I refer to often -

Sarah Fielke's one on big stitch hand quilting, which you can find here and there's another indepth tutorial here covering traditional as well as big stitch quilting.
There are some great videos over here, Jen Kingwell on handquilting, including her * 'cross' stitch quilting technique. Wendy from wendysquiltsandmore has written an informative post all about her quilting thoughts with lots of wonderful photos too, well worth checking out. Oh, and the tutorial for a 'magic numbers' quilt is here by Katie over at sewkatiedid, #afunpattern.

It's a beautiful quilt, Linda. I like those little X stitches! And I also like the balance you created with several of the strong fabrics spread through the quilt blocks. I've never bound a quilt before quilting it. Even though I pin baste my tops/batting/backs, there still seems to be a slight shift by the time I get to the edges. I don't know how successful I would be quilting when the edges are already bound. But maybe I'll give it a try sometime. I like the idea of no frayed edges.

Thank you so much Nancy! I did wonder about things puckering up a bit, but all ok so far. And yes, I too love the X quilting stitches, they are so easy to do! I just felt all those low volume fabrics needed a little extra ‘something’ or it could have ended up quite boring! I guess anything goes really, I'm certainly enjoying adding those extra little bits of embellishment.Thanx for stopping by, Linda

I love the idea of doing some machine quilting and then adding hand quilting later on! I will have to try that on a project soon. Your quilt is beautiful! You have a wonderful way of putting different kinds of fabrics and blocks together, Linda! I'm wishing I could come visit you and take a lesson or two. :)

Thanks Raewyn! I was a bit worried about adding hand quilting AFTER everything... but I did do lots of machine quilting all over it, so fingers crossed its ok!Loving having a break from the sewing machine and just hand quilting at the moment. Have a good week, Linda

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a comment. I love to hear your thoughts. For those of you who are a 'no-reply' blogger, I will respond within the comments section, so please do check back if you've asked a question or wish to chat. Happy sewing!

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Hi I'm Linda, and I live in Auckland, New Zealand. I am a mother of two grown up children & granny to three now! I've been making quilts on & off for a few years, I particularly enjoy making colourful scrappy quilts. I am sharing bits and bobs of my quilty journey here.